How to use "mostly"

What Does "mostly" Mean?

• What it expresses: The adverb mostly is primarily used to indicate degree, frequency, or extent. It translates to "for the most part," "mainly," or "generally."
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It is highly versatile, modifying verbs (mostly sources), adjectives (mostly good), adverbial phrases, or entire clauses.
• Register: Neutral. It is equally appropriate in casual conversation, journalism, and academic writing.

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions:
  • Mid-position: This is the most natural spot, usually between the subject and main verb, or after the first auxiliary verb (e.g., "They are mostly coming to work").
  • Initial position: Used for emphasis or to set the frame for the entire sentence (e.g., "Mostly, I'm just counting the hours").
  • Final position: Less common but possible in informal contexts to qualify a previous statement.
• What it modifies: When placed before an adjective, it limits the scope of that quality. When modifying a verb, it describes the frequency or primary nature of the action.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be used in questions ("Are they mostly students?") and with negation, though it usually precedes the negated element to clarify scope.
• What sounds unnatural: Placing mostly between a verb and its direct object often sounds clumsy. It should also not be used as a direct quantifier for a noun without a preceding adjective or specific context.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from mostly on Ludwig.guru.

"What's more, in some ways – mostly good ones – we are a bit more like them too." — theguardian.com

"Guardian Documentaries is currently looking to commission mostly short-form documentaries, with the occasional co-production on a longer doc." — theguardian.com

"The official economic watchdog says that the age structure of the latest waves of mass migration is skewed to those of working age – they are mostly coming to Britain to work or study." — theguardian.com

"The reality about televised debates is that viewers are mostly tuning in to have their already formed prejudices confirmed." — theguardian.com

"At least 18 people, mostly students aged 12 to 13, were aboard the boat crossing the Niger river on Monday." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/mostly

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
mainly	Very close synonym; often interchangeable in neutral contexts.
largely	Shorter and more neutral; works in both spoken and written registers.
for the most part	A prepositional phrase used to summarize a general situation.
to a great extent	More formal; typically used in academic or analytical writing.
predominantly	High-register; implies a strong majority or numerical dominance.
chiefly	Formal; emphasizes the most important factor or reason.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Scope: Placing mostly too far from the word it modifies can create ambiguity. For example, "I mostly eat green apples" (frequency of eating) vs. "I eat mostly green apples" (the type of apple).
• Confusion with 'Most': Learners often confuse 'mostly' with 'most', incorrectly using it as an adjective or quantifier (e.g., saying 'mostly people' instead of 'most people').
• Redundancy: Using it alongside other words of degree like "mainly mostly" or "mostly always" is repetitive and grammatically incorrect.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
mostly	Expresses degree or frequency	Neutral	Mid-position (before verbs/adjectives)

FAQs

Where should I place mostly in a sentence for it to sound natural

The most natural placement for mostly is the mid-position, occurring after the verb "to be" or the first auxiliary verb. If there is no auxiliary, place it directly before the main verb. While it can appear at the start of a sentence for emphasis, placing it at the very end is generally reserved for informal speech.

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What is the difference between mostly and mainly

While both are adverbs used to show degree, mostly often refers to the quantity or frequency of something within a group. Mainly tends to highlight the primary reason or the most important feature of a situation. However, in many everyday contexts, they are used as interchangeable synonyms.

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Can I say mostly people are happy

No, this is a common error because learners often confuse mostly with most, incorrectly using it as an adjective or quantifier. You should use the quantifier most before a noun, as in "most people." You would only use mostly if it modifies an adjective, such as "the people were mostly happy."